Gauthier Delomez 4:51 p.m., November 4, 2021

Hard hit by the health crisis, the tourism sector is regaining color with the All Saints holidays.

On Europe 1, the boss of the travel group Fram-Promovacances affirms that the sector is approaching its level of 2019, even if the purchasing habits of the French have changed since the start of the epidemic.

That's it, the French have the head to go on vacation.

After a year and a half of health crisis, the tourism sector seems to be starting up again, especially during this period of All Saints.

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La France bouge

on Europe 1, the president of Fram-Promovacances, Alain de Mendonça, is pleased with the resumption of tourist activity.

"We continue to talk about coronavirus, the rise in contamination, but there is a deep desire to escape," said the president of the French travel company.

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"Many French people have left for Europe"

"The French saved money during confinement. Today, they want to have fun," notes Alain de Mendonça, who notes a general increase in spending by his clients. "They go to the most distant destinations when they can, they take four-star hotels when they go to three stars ...", he lists.

Despite the short duration of the All Saints holidays and the health restrictions that there may be, holidaymakers have not hesitated to go abroad. "Many have left for Europe: we have Crete, Palma, the Canaries, Sardinia, Sicily, the return of Tunisia and Morocco" ... Without forgetting the return of winter destinations: "The Dominican Republic, Dubai , Egypt, Zanzibar ... It's a special mix specific to the All Saints holidays ".

Thanks to these departures, the tourism sector returns "practically to the level of 2019. There is a phenomenon of catching up which is clear", says the president of the travel group.

A more than encouraging trend, since the year 2019 was marked by a record for tourism in France and French people going abroad.

However, some Asian countries like Japan remain reluctant to welcome foreigners, and others, like Germany, see a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.

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"The French wait until the last minute to travel"

Uncertain situations that future vacationers take more and more into account. "There are two things that have changed compared to the pre-coronavirus. The first is that the French wait until the last minute to travel. Today, 80% of sales are made for one-month departures, a month and a half later. The second is that we launched a cancellable rate where our customers can be reimbursed without proof (...). If the customers have not left (due to a health restriction, Editor's note), we reimburse in full, ”says Alain de Mendonça.

Although the health situation can change at any time, the Fram-Promovacances group still had to finalize its contracts with hotels and holiday clubs in advance in order to offer attractive prices.

"We bought about as many products as in 2019. We hope for a very good Christmas, and there are the February and spring holidays. We have already bought 80% of our capacity", indicates the boss of the group. , optimistic for the winter season.